New to shaving and I'm miserable...

[FClef]

How can I put this as delicately as I can... I want to shave my head. I just started doing it last week and I love the way it feels. I have tried a blade and electric to see which was easier. I like the blade (Mach 3) because it gets very close, but the electric I have (Panasonic Linear) works well too. There are multiple problems however and this is why I am frustrated beyond all imagination.

The first problem is that no matter what I use there are spots that just will not shave properly and I have annoying stubble left. The blade misses it and the electric too. It seems that no matter what I do I just cannot get a fully clean shave without a great deal of work involved, and it is still there. I have used shave lotion, shave oil, water, plain old dry (no blade, just electric there) and nothing I do gets the trouble spots.

This brings me to the second problem. Because of these missed spots, I find myself shaving more often and longer than I actually think I should have to. The result? I am sure you are all nodding your heads... you guessed it... my scalp feels like fresh ground hamburger. I use Head Lube lotion and even use a little of their shave cream for the after shave care and that just isn't enough.

I am very frustrated because I thought that this was going to be fairly easy on my pate but it just is not working out that way.

I hate that my first post is like this but this is the reason I joined so I thought I would get into the meat and potatoes right away.

Help?

[Sly Red]

Hi FClef,

I feel your pain.  I've been at it two months and still have some of the same problems, however I can assure you that given time you'll get a smoother shave.  Take a look at the video on this page: http://www.allaboutshaving.com/

The Definitive Guide to Shaving Your Head

I use this guys routine almost exactly.  Give it a try and see if it works better for you.

BTW, Welcome to SlyBaldGuys 

SimplyRed

[BaldRob]

First, welcome to SBG!

As far as shaving goes and those trouble spots...  There are several things you can try.  Throughout the forum there are many different thoughts on the best way to shave.

Some of the highlights... shave in the shower (which helps "soften" the hair), shave first with the grain and then against the grain, shave every other day or every couple days, etc.

As far as what you use to shave your head, again, everyone here has different things... I personally shave in the shower using the headblade with the Gillette Atra, St. Ives Apricot Scrub, HeadSlick or Shave Secret shave oil, followed by Bald Guyz Moisture Gel.

Again, welcome to SBG!

[herronm]

Welcome FClef!!!  Glad you found us.  You give it a try with some gel, oil or something different.  Don't use too much pressure, but it is OK to go over the same spot several times.

[FR8TRAIN]

Hey Clef, first off welcome to the forum.

Where exactly on your head are these trouble spots?

I understand that you like the Mach3 but have you tried another 3 bladed razor that is more fexible and contours to you noggin a bit better like the Shick Extreme 3?

And lastly, you've only been shaving for a short while and your scalp is not use to it yet. Believe me it will toughen up as you continue to shave.

[BlackJamesRackham]

Welcome bro!

As a Sly Rookie, let me tell you, you have to take it slow. You're gonna have missed spots to start. You just have to accept it and move on. Going over a spot 10 times isn't worth the burn and bumps. Trust me, in a while, you'll get those spots smooth with 1 or 2 passes. I used to have the same problem, and still do on one spot of my head. But you get to be a better shaver after a while. So just take it slow. There's definitely a learning curve when it comes to head shaving 

As far as the burn, check out Aloe Vera with Lidocaine and an ice cube rub...those should help a bit

[Timmay]

Just keep with it.  You will find your nitch in doing it.  Everyone is different.  I have a few spots like that too and man...sometimes I have to pop my elbow out of joint to get the right angle.  You will find that the "hambuger" syndrome will soon go away once you get into a daily shave ritual.  By all means if you need to use the apricot scrub do it.    Its an awesome thing to have a slick noggin so dont give up...

Timmay

[Paul]

Welcome FClef.  The other bros have given you good advice.  Shaving is a very individual thing.   The longer you keep at it the more you get to know your own dome.  I have several spots that take extra effort and need to be shaved at weird angles or directions to get totally smooth.  It will toughen up over time and become less tender.   Rinsing well with really cold water and applying aloe vera jel may help with the tenderness as well.

[FClef]

WOW! So many responses in such a short time!

Thanks to each of you for your responses and your welcomes.

The Mach 3 is a razor that I read about in the forums here and elsewhere and I thought (silly me) that it would be OK to use. I may have to try one of those Shick Extreme razors.

The trouble spots seem to be on the top of my head toward the back. My head kind of has two flat areas there and it is next to impossible for me to get them totally clean. Right now there are nicks and cuts (YIKES!) there from my over-enthusiastic use of my razor.

I will try the apricot scrub, but what exactly is that supposed to do?

Another question, with the irritation I have right now how can I get my scalp to not be so dern angry with me? I hate the constant irritation. It is kind of like my ex-wife; always there causing me anguish.

I did watch that video and I am going to try those suggestions. Any other tips would be very helpful.

Do you REALLY need a mirror in the shower to shave your head or can you just do it by feel?

Again, thanks for all the help... it is good to have others with experience helping me out.

[Sly Red]

Do you REALLY need a mirror in the shower to shave your head or can you just do it by feel?

I have a mirror in the shower, but ultimately you'll learn to shave by feel.  After all you can't see the back of your head.  That's the area I have the most difficulty with.

Red

[FR8TRAIN]

The trouble spots seem to be on the top of my head toward the back. My head kind of has two flat areas there and it is next to impossible for me to get them totally clean. Right now there are nicks and cuts (YIKES!) there from my over-enthusiastic use of my razor.

Give one those Extreme 3's a try. I have similar flat spots on my head and the Extreme 3's were the only ones that ever stayed on my head at those contours. I now use a HeadBlade though and it gets those spots perfectly.

[Sly Red]

Give one those Extreme 3's a try. I have similar flat spots on my head and the Extreme 3's were the only ones that ever stayed on my head at those contours. I now use a HeadBlade though and it gets those spots perfectly.

Now that's the razor!  Don't make me challenge you to a HeadShave Throwdown at SlyBaldCon 2009 between the Schick Xtreme 3 and the HeadBlade !    You're not as intimidating as Nomad and BaldRob. 

Red

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Lighten up, you just started last week, and you started that's definately cool
You're still learning about you're head, you're in the right forum, and you'll soon have your routine down.  It's really a great time although I think everybody during the first month or two gets irked when it's not baby butt straight out of the morning prep session.  You'll learn the various "spots" and how to handle them, the lotions and other stuff that makes your head feel best.  Just relax and enjoy the ride, and no matter about the little irksome areas you can be assured that you look better than the poor dude w/ the comb over, the hole in the head, the sparse grass look, etc. 
More than all that, welcome.

[FR8TRAIN]

Give one those Extreme 3's a try. I have similar flat spots on my head and the Extreme 3's were the only ones that ever stayed on my head at those contours. I now use a HeadBlade though and it gets those spots perfectly.

Now that's the razor!  Don't make me challenge you to a HeadShave Throwdown at SlyBaldCon 2009 between the Schick Xtreme 3 and the HeadBlade !    You're not as intimidating as Nomad and BaldRob. 

Red

Now how do you know? I'm twice the size of NOMAD! And I make BaldRob look like Vern Troyer!!



BTW that's my shoe in his hand!!!

[FClef]

Give one those Extreme 3's a try. I have similar flat spots on my head and the Extreme 3's were the only ones that ever stayed on my head at those contours. I now use a HeadBlade though and it gets those spots perfectly.

Now that's the razor!  Don't make me challenge you to a HeadShave Throwdown at SlyBaldCon 2009 between the Schick Xtreme 3 and the HeadBlade !    You're not as intimidating as Nomad and BaldRob. 

Red

Now how do you know? I'm twice the size of NOMAD! And I make BaldRob look like Vern Troyer!!



BTW that's my shoe in his hand!!!

Boys, Boys, Boys... do not make me get my attack duck.